babbitt



AUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

B. T. BABBITT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CONSTRUCTION OF IRON VESSELS.

-Specification of Letters Patent No. 32,741, dated July 9, 1861.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that l, B. T. BABBITT, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Mode of Constructing Iron Vessels of Navigation; and l do hereby declare that the following is a. full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure l, is a transverse section of a vessel constructed according to my invention, a", Fig. 2, indicating the plane of section; Fig. 2, a longitudinal vertical section of a portion ot the same, taken in the line y, y, Fig. l.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the two igures.

The object of this invention is to obtain a mode of constructing iron vessels of navigation that will be much simpler', more economical, more durable and which will enable vessels to be constructed with a less weight of metal than usual.

To enable those skilled in the art to fully understand and constructmy invention, I will proceed to describe it.

A, represents the metal bars or plates which Jform the exterior parts of the metal frame-work of the hull. These bars or plates may be of any suitable width, say from six to eight inches, and of a suitable thickness according to the size of the vessel. The bars or plates A, are bent or curved to form what may be termed ribs, each bar A, having a transverse position, and extending entirely around the vessel so as to form a round bottom, as shown clearly in Fig. l, the form of the ribs A, varying of course to correspond with the desired form of the vessel in its transverse section from the bow to the stern.

To the inner sides of the ribs A, there are attached longitudinal bars or plates B; These bars or plates form an inner lining for the ribs A, and may be equal in width and thickness to the ribs A. The bars or plates B, do not touch each other, nor do they touch the bars or ribs A, a space being allowed between, as shown clearly in Fig. l.

At the inner sides of the bars or plates B, there are attached ribs C, which correspond in forni with the ribs A. The outer and inner ribs A, C, and bars B, are connected by rivets or bolts a, spaces being allowed between the edges of the inner ribs C, and also between ribs C, and the bars B.

The ribs and bars Jform what may be termed the frame-work of the hull and when this frame-work is completed the interstices are lled with sulfur D, which is melted and poured into the interstices so as to completely till them and form a solid hull. The exterior surface of the ribs A, C, may then be coated or painted over with melted sulfur which will fully protect the ribs from oxidation.

In the construction of war vessels the portion above the water may have additional bars or plates E, interposed between the inner ribs C, and the longitudinal bars or plates B. This may be necessary asa protection against shot.

The sulfur D, renders the hull completely water-tight, and also protects the metal from oxidation, two very important results.

l do not confine myself to the exact position of the metallic ribs and bars for they may be arranged in various ways, although the plan herein shown and described will probably be as good as any.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is,

The combination of the sulfur with the frame-work of the vessel, in the manner substantially as herein shown and described.

B. T. BABBITT.

lVitnesses:

O. D. MUNN, S. H. VALEs. 

